January's Read - Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord
Paama’s husband is a fool and a glutton. Bad enough that he followed her to her parents’ home in the village of Makende, now he’s disgraced himself by murdering livestock and stealing corn. When Paama leaves him for good, she attracts the attention of the undying ones—the djombi—who present her with a gift: the Chaos Stick, which allows her to manipulate the subtle forces of the world. Unfortunately, a wrathful djombi with indigo skin believes this power should be his and his alone.
Bursting with humor and rich in fantastic detail, Redemption in Indigo is a clever, contemporary fairy tale that introduces readers to a dynamic new voice in Caribbean literature. Lord’s world of spider tricksters and indigo immortals, inspired in part by a Senegalese folk tale, will feel instantly familiar—but Paama’s adventures are fresh, surprising, and utterly original.
Redemption in Indigo is a quick and easy-to -read book which delves into the world of folklore. Lord drew me in with her cast of colourful characters and her vivid descriptions. I found myself craving Paama's legendary cooking. Despite its humour and satire, this novel is a story about a woman trapped in a loveless marriage. Yet it is also a magical fable that transports the reader to another place and time.